Edo Special Court Hands Down Death Sentences in First Kidnapping Judgment

The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four men to death for their alleged roles in the kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.

Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, marking the court's first verdict in a kidnapping case since its establishment to accelerate the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism-related offences in Edo State.

The convicts Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael were prosecuted on an 11-count charge involving kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Judge: “My Hands Are Tied”

In imposing the sentences, Justice Momodu said the penalties prescribed by law left him with no discretion to impose lesser punishments.

“My hands are tied under the law. I wish the law permitted me to exercise my discretion. I would have, but my hands are tied. I will just impose the sentence as prescribed by the law,” the judge said.

The court subsequently imposed a combination of prison terms, life imprisonment and death sentences on the four men.

Sentences

• Marvellous Isaac: Seven years' imprisonment on count one; death by hanging or lethal injection on counts two through nine; 10 years' imprisonment on count 10; and life imprisonment on count 11.

• Wisdom Michael: Seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two through nine.

• Rufus Emete Michael: Seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, three, four, six and seven.

• Gift Raphael: Seven years' imprisonment on count one and death sentences on counts two, four, six and eight.

The sentences followed the court's consideration of the charges and evidence presented during the trial.

Kidnapping in Broad Daylight

The case arose from the abduction of a woman on June 14, 2026, at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City.

Prosecutors brought the 11-count case against the four defendants over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and other related offences, including conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and illegal possession of firearms.

The judgment represents the first kidnapping case to reach a verdict before the newly established Special Criminal Court.

Court Orders Firearm Destroyed

The court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits during the trial.

Justice Momodu directed that the exhibits be transferred to the Edo State Police Armourer at the State Criminal Investigation Department for destruction within 30 days.

First Verdict Under Edo's Special Court System

The Edo State Special Criminal Court was established on July 1, 2026, with a mandate to fast-track cases involving kidnapping, cultism and other violent offences.

The court's first kidnapping judgment comes as authorities in Edo continue efforts to respond to abductions and other violent crimes.

For the prosecution, the verdict represents the first completed kidnapping case under the new judicial framework. For the defendants, the sentences remain subject to whatever appellate rights are available under Nigerian law.

The judgment is therefore likely to become an early test of how Edo State's specialised court system handles the prosecution and sentencing of kidnapping cases.